US Virgin Islands

The American Paradise

The US Virgin Islands are composed of three islands St Thomas, St Croix and St John. They are located on the northeastern Caribbean east of Puerto Rico. There are about 50 small surrounding islets and cays many of them uninhabited.

St Thomas is wholly in the Atlantic Ocean while St Croix is located in the Caribbean Sea. St John is a divider between the two.

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Buck Island off the shores of St Croix Island

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No passport or visa required for US Citizens

Owned previously by Denmark they were bought by the United States in 1917. It is now an American Territory thus making its residents American Citizens. No passports or visa required for US Citizens.

People

Most of the Virgin Islanders are of African Origin. Their ancestors were the slaves that were brought to work in the sugar plantations before the abolition.

Later on, being a US Territory many people of other countries and from the US Mainland and Puerto Rico have come to live here.

Especially the Puerto Ricans in St Croix Island have brought the Spanish flavor in all its force.

The USVI are also a starting point to visit the neighboring islands of British Virgin Islands, St Maarten, or St Martin, St Kitts Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda.

Us Virgin Islands Facts

• Official name - US Virgin Islands • Population - 108,210

• Area in Sq Km - 1,910 • Capital City - Charlotte Amalie

• Languages – English • Political Status - United States Territory

• Currency - Us Dollar (USD)

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Cruz bay in St John USVI

Getting there

By air

Major airlines have non-stop flights from North America direct to St Thomas USVI and St Croix. But the main traffic to the islands comes from Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean Islands.

There are two main airports located within the U.S. Virgin Islands: Cyril E. King International Airport on St. Thomas, and Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport on St. Croix.

Airlines serving the US Virgin Islands

• American Airlines• American Eagle• Cape Air• Continental Airlines• Delta Airlines• LIAT• Seaborne Seaplane• United Airlines• US Airways• Winair

By Cruise

St Thomas is on many Eastern Caribbean Cruises itineraries on many cruise lines departing from Florida and some ports in the north of the United States.

These Cruise Vacations are very popular, for the great convenience of cruising on a Super Deluxe Hotels; this is what the cruise ships today, and the expectation of visiting one port every day.

Cruise Lines arrive in the US Virgin Islands mainly to St Thomas and a few may visit St John and St Croix.

Cruise Lines visiting The US Virgin Islands

• Azamara Cruises• Carnival Cruise Lines• Celebrity Cruises• Costa Cruises• Holland America Line• Norwegian Cruise Line• Princess Cruises• Royal Caribbean

By sailing

Many visitors to the three US Virgin Islands arrive on some kind of yacht, small or large. The Caribbean is an ideal area for your Sailing Vacation and there are plenty exotic beaches to visit.

St Thomas, St Croix and St John are no exception. I highly recommend using the services of professionals in the field of Sailing vacations.

They know the waters, that some time can bring surprises, like high waves and strong winds to mention a few.

Please visit our page on Caribbean Sailing Vacation for more information on this great subject.

Caneel Bay in St John USVI, for romantic getaways

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Getting around

If you want to move between the islands, remember that St Croix is quite far from St Thomas and you may even need to fly on a small plane or hydroplane. There is regular ferry service from Christiansted in St Croix to Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas.

On the other hand St John is very near St Thomas and ferries run back and forth between the islands. In St Tomas you have to go to the east end of the island to Red Hook to catch that ferry.

By car rental

Once in any of the islands you may want to rent a car to have the liberty to explore them at your own pace. The major companies and many local car rental companies will give you the best service.

By Bus

In the two largest St Croix and St Thomas there are buses that go around and inside the islands. This service is used mostly by locals.

By Bike or Scooter

“Fantastico” this is the way for young people to explore the three islands and go to places and beaches not being reached by car.

Note that I mentioned good for young people. Don’t ask me, please. I prefer to take my rental car and drive on the left side and tour these beautiful islands. I have been doing it for almost 40 years.

Weather and Climate

The climate of the U.S. Virgin Islands is ideal, with perfect Caribbean temperatures and rainfall. The temperatures don’t vary so much during the year, being the summer quite warm reaching the 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the “winter (if you call this winter) a little less not reaching the 84 degrees.

Summer is hurricane season and the islands are on the Hurricane Belt. The technology of today allows enough time for change of plans. The same applies to air visitors or to cruise ones.

Buccaneer Resort in St Croix Island

US Virgin Island Beaches

You’ll find information island by island with descriptions of all the beaches. Please go to: St Thomas, St Croix or St John.

Recommended Resorts

As with the beaches I am recommending here two resorts from personal experience for the last thirty years. On the islands pages you’ll find more information.

Caneel Bay a Rosewood Resort St John USVI

Caneel Bay invites you to disconnect in pristine natural surroundings and low key luxury.

This exclusive resort, nestled within the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, remains faithful to the vision of founder Laurence Rockefeller and his reverence for the environment.

Seven secluded white sand beaches border 170 lush acres where Caneel's Bay accommodations have been artfully built to blend into the landscape.

A true escape, the resort remains purposefully absent of modern glitz, digital distractions and the furious pace of the world at home.

The Buccaneer Resort St Croix USVI

Gracious, elegant and legendary.

Founded in the 17th century and family run for generations, St. Croix's Buccaneer is the Caribbean's and Virgin Islands' longest running resort.

Both historic and modern, the resort blends old world charm with warm hospitality and the amenities expected by today's traveler. More than a hotel, The Buccaneer is a premier destination resort for golf, tennis, water sports, weddings, honeymoons and family vacations.

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Virgin Islands Flag Description:

White field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel.

Weddings and Honeymoons as well as Family Vacations

All this and the security of being under the American Flag, guarantee the best Family Vacations, Weddings and Island Honeymoons fit for Kings and Queens.

US Virgin Islands Map

They are three islands St Thomas, St Croix and St John, located on the northeastern, Caribbean east of Puerto Rico.

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